ASSESSING COMPANY CULTURE

Be a Careful Observer

Here are some of the things to be cognizant of during your interview experience:

  • How are you treated while interviewing?

  • What phrases do the interviewers use frequently?

  • Is there a theme or unspoken tone to the questions asked?

  • How does the environment feel to you?

  • How prepared are the interviewers? Are they on time?

  • Were you given an interview schedule?

  • Were you treated like a prisoner or a guest?

  • Are your responses to questions treated with suspicion or professional curiosity?

  • How considerate is the company recruiter?

  • Meet every person who will be in your reporting line, both above and below you

  • Ask each person in that reporting line separately to describe the role you're considering

  • Scour the Web including the company website, employee blogs, company-related message boards, or networking sites such as LinkedIn and Plaxo

Ask for Details

Company Culture

Of course, digging up facts about company culture doesn't have to be an altogether clandestine effort. You can simply ask questions about organizational culture. Here are a few to consider:

  • What are the key components of the company or department culture?

  • How does the company (team) handle conflict or differing opinions?

  • How does the company recognize employee accomplishments?

  • Are the company core values readily available to all employees?

  • How often are company meetings held? Who attends? Describe a company meeting.

  • Please describe the leadership or managerial style at your company.

  • What qualities do the most successful employees in your company possess?

  • What are the metrics the company/group uses to measure performance?

  • How do you define success?

  • What kinds of employee achievements are recognized by the company?

  • What is the company's attitude toward professional and educational advancement?

  • Where is the greatest room for improvement?

  • How has your company culture changed in the last five years?

  • What is the company's attitude to risk and failure?

  • What is most pressing in the next two to three months?

  • What's your biggest source of job satisfaction?

  • What do you think the company's biggest weakness is?

  • Would you mind telling me about how your career got you to this point?

  • What kind of sponsorships or philanthropic activities does the company participate in?

  • What exciting or challenging directions do you anticipate over the next few years?

You can also use storytelling to gauge the level of bureaucracy.

  • Ask the interviewer to walk you through a recent initiative. How was the idea sold across the organization? How long did it take to get approved?

Position Details

  • Why is this job open?

  • Why did the previous person in the position leave the job? How long had they been with the company?

  • In what ways were you pleased with the last person?

  • Could you describe your typical management style and the type of employee who works well with you?

  • What are some of the skills and abilities you see as necessary for someone to succeed in the job? What kind of personal characteristics are you looking for?

  • What challenges might I encounter if I take on this position?

  • What do you see as the top three goals/objectives for the job in the first year?

  • What resources are available to accomplish the responsibilities of the position?

  • Are there any restraints or cutbacks planned that would decrease budgets?

  • What are the established guidelines for decision making in this position?

  • Are the department policies and procedures documented?

  • What would be the extent of my authority to carry out the responsibilities of this position?

  • Which of my decisions would require approval, and who would have to approve them?

  • What's the worst thing that someone new could do coming into the group?

  • What's important to know if I come aboard—what will make or break if I'm effective and acclimate well?

  • Are there any internal candidates being considered for this position? If not, why not?

  • Tell me about a time you were reprimanded for a decision you made.

Record Your Impressions Immediately

After leaving an interview, sit down and make a list of everything you learned, from the concrete to the esoteric, and flag anything that is of concern to you.